Frequently Asked Questions

Experiences at Simple Cremation by Choice™ do not include a memorial service in a funeral home, therefore the costs associated with services and staff that a funeral home provides are not required.

There is a list that determines the order of of priority with who can make decisions regarding final arrangements in section 5 of the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act in British Columbia:

• the personal representative named in the will of the deceased
  
• an adult child of the deceased
  
• the spouse of the deceased
  
• an adult grandchild of the deceased
  
• if the deceased was a minor, a person who was a guardian who had care and control of the deceased at the date of death
  
• a parent of the deceased
  
• an adult sibling of the deceased
  
• an adult nephew or niece of the deceased
  
• an adult next of kin of the deceased, determined on the basis provided by section 23 (5) of the Wills, Estates and Succession Act
  
• the minister under the Employment and Assistance Act, or if the Public Guardian and Trustee is administering the estate of the deceased under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act, the Public Guardian and Trustee
  
• an adult person having a personal or kinship relationship with the deceased, other than those referred to in paragraphs (b) to (d) and (f) to (i)
  

Generally speaking, cremation will likely cost a quarter or less of the cost of a burial. In Canada, a simple, direct cremation can start below $2000. It is important to note, cremation costs will vary depending on your province and area.

Asking specific questions of the crematorium so that you can be confident in the business handling this special duty is strongly recommended by the Cremation Association of North America. The following questions are a guideline to help you get the answers you are looking for:

• confirm the firm you chose has a business licence
  
• ask your friends/family members that have dealt with the business for feedback regarding their experiences
  
• do not choose a business strictly on their price
  
• do they have their own crematory or do they work with a cremation business? If they work with a seperate business, which crematory do they use?
  
• who owns the crematory facility, and how often do they inspect that facility?
  
• are their licenses and permits current?
  
• does the crematory have refrigeration?
  
• does the crematory have liability insurance?
  
• does the crematory facility allow witnessing by family members?
  

Answers to some of these questions will help you feel more confident in your choice for selecting the best cremation business for your loved one.

Yes, there are a number of programs that the BC and Canadian governments offer that you may qualify for

• the BC Government offers full funding to provide cremation services for qualifying applicants on low and/or fixed incomes
  
• ICBC’s Basic Autoplan program will reimburse expenses of up to $2,500, if an insured person is killed in a motor vehicle accident
  
• immediate family members of an injured or deceased victim may be eligible for financial assistance or benefits relating to crimes which occurred in B.C., through the Crime Victim Assistance Program
  
• Income Security Programs through the Canada Pension Plan, provides the contributor both survivor benefits and a lump sum death benefit
  
• through Worksafe BC, an amount for funeral expenses is paid in addition to any other compensation payable. Benefits may be provided for the surviving spouse, based on the worker’s earnings, a dependent child up to the age of 19, and more
  
• financial assistance may be available for funeral and burial costs as well as next of kin travel arrangements through the National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces. Funeral and burial expenses for currently serving members will be paid by DND up to a specific amount. All costs expended above the set limit will be borne by the estate.